The cost of a Compaq Widescreen Notebook Computer is $868, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
I began teaching the most amazing students two years ago when they were just in seventh grade. They all entered into my literacy class reading between the second grade and fourth grade level.
I teach in a severely under-resourced middle school in Brooklyn, NY. More than 80% of students qualify for free lunch.
When I began teaching these students I told them that they were brilliant and they would go to Harvard. They did not know what Harvard was until I told them. Within six months most had grown a year in reading.
Now I have had them for two years. I followed them up to ensure that they reached grade level. With almost all of them reading on the 7-8th grade level, I am confident that they will not only go on to graduate high school but most will go on to college ... Harvard class of 2014.
Despite all of the socio-economic obstacles facing these students, they all have worked hard enough to grow seven years in reading in only two. Their tireless efforts inspired me to push harder and they rose to the challenge. Unfortunately, the reality of education is that in order to be successful, students must have access to computers. In this increasingly tech-centric age, students without the money for a computer are even more disadvantaged.
Therefore I need your help. I am asking for one laptop computer at a time to send with these students to high school. This is a huge gift that will mean the difference between college or no college. This is an obstacle that they do not have the resources to overcome and cannot simply work hard to earn. This is an obstacle that you have the power to eliminate.
Please help me create the Harvard class of 2014. Please help me eliminate a barrier to success, an economic blockage to college. Please help me, help them. I have 25 students. One laptop has been donated. Let's continue this legacy with student #2.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Zangrilli and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.